Agreement signed to hold the 4th Zanjan International Pantomime Festival

 

The official poster of the Fourth Zanjan International Pantomime Festival was also unveiled at this ceremony.

A number of cultural officials participated in the ceremony: Ebrahim Ghasemi (Deputy for Arts and Cinema of the General Directorate of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Zanjan Province), Nasser Heydari (Art expert), Hamidreza Rostamkhani (Provincial Theater Expert), Hossein Najafi (Chairman of the Zanjan Performing Arts Association), Hossein Abbasi (Veteran Theater Artist), Hamid Ezzatikoli and Hossein Mohammadi (Members of the Secretariat of the Fourth Zanjan International Pantomime Festival).

Reza Mardani, Director General of Dramatic Arts, appreciated the support of Zanjan province's managers and artists in holding the Pantomime Festival: "Pantomime is definitely a form of movement and the basis of the play. It is a difficult thing for an actor, with all his senses, thoughts, ideas, and creativity, to express what is imprinted in his thoughts and ideas in the form of movement without words."

He went on to say: Pantomime is the language of peace, freedom and tranquility and has many Common points with the rich culture of the people of Zanjan province.

Mardani stated that the General Directorate of Dramatic Arts is strongly supporting the Zanjan International Pantomime Festival

He continued:” Holding this event is the concern and demand of all artists across the country, and everyone knows Zanjan City as the Pantomime Festival. Certainly, the selected works of this event should be performed in other provinces of Iran, so as well as cultural and artistic exchange and supporting the works of artists, the light of theater halls throughout the country will remain brighter than ever.”

Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Zanjan Province , Jafar Mohammadi, talked in the ceremony: “ The Pantomime Festival is a prestigious event that we have considered three sections: workshop, national and international. Certainly, the as the supports increases, the quality and social, cultural, and political influences of the festival will improve.”

Sasan Ghajar, artistic director  of the Fourth International Pantomime Festival of Zanjan, gave a brief report on the process of holding previous editions of the festival and said: Pantomime is the oldest theatrical form in the world, and a festival dedicated to it has been held in Iran after years of effort and pursuit with many ups and downs.”

He added: Since pantomime is a non-verbal art, we can perform the best works of the writers of Persian culture and literature and our theatrical rituals in other countries. Pantomime has a universal language and can greatly help the country's theater. We have now gained membership in the  World MIME Organzation (MIMES), and we have two special seats in this organization, one for the General Directorate of Dramatic Arts and one in my name.”

Ghajar referred to the establishment and activities of the Iranian Pantomime House in Zanjan: "We hold free training workshops across Iran. Love, compassion, and humanity are the hallmarks of this artistic event, and our motto is this love for each other. The World Mime Organization has also agreed to establish a Mime Asia office in Iran, and we are currently negotiating to finalize it."

The Fourth Zanjan International Pantomime Festival will be held in November 2025.